Joe Skipper, Lucy Gossage to race Helvellyn Triathlon

Set in the English Lake District, the Helvellyn Triathlon will see several high profile names racing, including Joe Skipper and Lucy Gossage
KAILUA KONA, HAWAII - OCTOBER 12: Joe Skipper of Great Britain celebrates after finishing the Ironman World Championships on October 12, 2019 in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

6th September 2020 – Big names set for Helvellyn Triathon

With just over two weeks until race time, the long-standing and super-tough Helvellyn Triathlon looks set to feature some high profile athletes, in a year which has seen almost all of the racing calendar cancelled due to COVID-19.

Here’s the latest from Rob Wilkins, the head of TriHard Events on the race, which comprises a one mile swim, 38-mile bike loop (including “The Struggle”), and finishes with a nine mile Fell run.


The Helvellyn Triathlon which has long been regarded as one of the toughest triathlons in the world has this year attracted some top-quality pro triathletes. Multi IRONMAN winners Joe Skipper and Lucy Gossage have entered as has current IRONMAN UK Champion, Brian Fogarty. Moves are afoot to get more top-level pro triathletes signed up.

Lucy Gossage / Norseman / XTRI World Championship
Photo Credit: Ola Morken

Race Director Rob Wilkins of TriHard Events says “Helvellyn has always been our blue-ribbon event providing as it does an incredible personal challenge to athletes of all levels in a most beautiful part of the world. I’m sure that our core age-group level athletes will be thrilled to be sharing the course with some of the very best endurance athletes around.”

Brian Fogarty / IRONMAN UK - Photo: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN
Brian Fogarty – Photo: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN

The swim is in beautiful and refreshing Ullswater at the foot of Helvellyn, the bike course is along the roads encircling the Helvellyn massif and includes the 2.5 mile climb of the Kirkstone Pass from Ambleside with the notorious 20% aptly named ‘Struggle’ to the top. The run takes them up and down England’s third highest mountain. There are still a few places left.

https://www.trihard.co.uk/events/helvellyn-triathlon/

Helvellyn Triathlon / TriHard Events
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.

Lionel Sanders to face Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden at Challenge Xiamen

Best Mirrored and Photochromic Goggles for Bright Open Water 2026

Best Goggles for First Open-Water Swims 2026

Best Smart Swim Goggles 2026 — FORM and the Data Race

Best Men’s Training Jammers Under $60 in 2026

Best Pull Buoys for Triathlon Swim Training 2026

Best Swim Paddles for Triathletes 2026

Best Tempo Trainers and Swim Metronomes 2026

Lionel Sanders to face Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden at Challenge Xiamen

Saudi Arabia T100 postponed as PTO plans men’s pro race in Dubai instead

IRONMAN winner Cameron Main calls 228km backyard ultra ‘hardest thing I’ve ever done’

Noosa Triathlon 2026 results: Swim cancelled before Hauser and Van Coevorden claim titles

WATCH AGAIN: Noosa Triathlon 2026 as Hauser and Van Coevorden prevail

‘How do you do it all?’ Kona star Matthew Marquardt on his remarkable double life

The happiness behind Cassandre Beaugrand’s perfect season – and why there’s more to come

HYROX targets Olympic future as World Triathlon deal brings fitness racing into the fold

Share to...